Changing your habits is one of the most important things you can do. It will help you become more efficient and productive, improve your overall health and wellbeing, and even lead to greater success in your personal and professional life.
I know, breaking a habit can seem impossible sometimes. You might be thinking about ditching the rest of this article to go and maybe partake in one of those habits. But before you go just hear me out. Letâs just look at one way breaking bad habits can improve your life.Suppose you have a habit of procrastinating on important tasks until the last minute. This habit not only increases your stress levels but also affects the quality of your work. By breaking this bad habit, youâll be able to manage your time better, prioritize tasks, and deliver high-quality work that you can be proud of. Plus, youâll feel more relaxed and in control of your life, which is always a good thing! Have I still got your attention? Good. Youâre doing better already!
So lets dive in with 5 quick tips
âMake it easyâ â Instead of trying to force yourself to change your behavior, make the desired behavior as easy as possible. For example, if you want to read more, keep a book next to your bed so you can grab it as soon as you wake up or before you go to bed.
âStart smallâ â Trying to change everything at once is a recipe for disaster. Start with something tiny and build on it. For example, if you want to start exercising, donât try to run a marathon right away. Start by doing one push-up a day and work your way up.
âCreate a systemâ â Habits are just the compound interest of self-improvement. The same way that money grows through compound interest, habits grow when we repeat them.
âFocus on identityâ â You are not your habits, but your habits are a reflection of who you are. So if you want to change your habits, you have to change your identity. For example, if you want to become a runner, you have to become the type of person who runs.
âUse the Two-minute ruleâ â The idea is that when you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do. For example, if you want to start meditating, start with two minutes a day. Youâll be surprised how quickly it turns into a habit.
Lets look at some of the most successful people on the planet.
Oprah Winfrey attributes much of her success to her ability to change her habits. She has spoken publicly about the importance of setting goals and making small changes to achieve them.
Bill Gates is known for his âThink Weeksâ, where he takes time off to read and reflect on important topics.
Elon Musk has implemented a strict schedule,
where itâs said he works 100 hours a week, and he is known for his ability to prioritize the most important tasks and delegate the rest. Delegation is an entire skill in itself.
James Clear in his book âAtomic Habitsâ (That I highly recommend you pick up) says:
âThe most successful people are the ones
who form the habits of doing things that failures donât like to do.â
This quote highlights that successful people often have habits that others may view as unpleasant or difficult, but they consistently do them anyways. These habits may not be particularly enjoyable in the moment, but they lead to long-term success and progress.
Other habits that the majority of successful people have in common are:
- The 5-minute ruleâ â Successful people know that starting is often the hardest part, so they implement the 5-minute rule. They start with just five minutes of work on a task and let momentum take over. Itâs like taking a baby step towards success, except itâs a grown-up step.
- âThe Pomodoro Techniqueâ â Successful people use the Pomodoro Technique, which involves breaking work into 25-minute intervals, separated by short breaks. It helps them to stay focused, avoid burnout and increase productivity.
- âMeditationâ â High achievers understand the importance of mental health and make time for meditation. They use it to clear their minds, reduce stress, and stay focused. Itâs also a great excuse to buy fancy cushions and sit cross-legged like a monk.
Breaking bad habits is never easy, we all know that. However, the benefits one gets from gritting their teeth and following through are tremendous. Like all good things, it comes with time and effort. Once you can free yourself from those bad habits that have been holding you back in business, relationships, and just general life, youâll see an entirely new world of possibility and productivity. It all starts with a single step. Now go out and take it!